3% rise in UK car production reported

The number of cars built in the UK topped 1.5 million last year, the highest for six years, amid "surging" demand at home and abroad

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The number of cars built in the UK topped 1.5 million last year

The number of cars built in the UK topped 1.5 million last year, the highest for six years, amid “surging” demand at home and abroad, with vehicles rolling off a production line every 20 seconds, new figures have revealed.

Production increased by 3.1% in 2013, with analysts predicting that output would reach record levels of around two million by 2017.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the UK was set to become the third largest car manufacturer in Europe after Germany and Spain.

Four out of five cars built in the UK last year were exported, with strong demand reported in China, the United States and Russia.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The figures are another sign that the British car industry is going from strength to strength, with one vehicle rolling off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds.

“Our success lies in the appetite from countries around the world for British cars.’’